LISBON – Decked out in white robes for the women and black for the men, 132 Lisbon High School graduates sat in the Lewiston Armory in 90-degree heat on Sunday to receive their long-awaited diplomas.

Class of 2008 president Dillon Ward started the three student speeches by listing favorite memories and offering words of gratitude and encouragement to his classmates.

“We have finally made it. Take a second to let that hit you, because I know it hasn’t hit me yet, even though I’m the one up here giving my last speech,” he said.

Kyle Neagle, the class salutatorian, spoke about lessons he had learned over the past four years.

“I think too often people associate success with being smart. Of course, those who are brilliant or gifted may have an advantage,” he said. “But for the rest of us, success, however you may define it, can come with hard work.”

The class valedictorian, Maeghan Pelletier, urged her peers to step back and enjoy life as it happens.

“We were raised to always look and anticipate where we’re headed. And in the process we forget about where we are this very moment. After 18 years and a couple of close calls, I finally realized how important each moment is,” she said.

Between speeches, music was performed by Pelletier, the school’s band, and class of 2008 graduate Barbara Martin. Following their selections was the commencement speaker.

Dean Hall began his speech by explaining that he had opted not to offer words of advice and inspiration, but instead make fun of the class.

“When this class came in as freshman, it was expected that there would be about five to seven cliques. But that takes organization, and the class of 2008 doesn’t do organization very well,” he said. “So we ended up with 132 cliques instead.”

After the hour-long celebration with speeches that included quotes from Van Morrisson, Mark Twain and Larry Bird, assistant principal Warren Galway closed the ceremony with a rap he composed himself. As he finished, he instructed the class to wave goodbye. Each then took their turn to do “the wave,” most commonly seen at sports games.

“When these students were in eighth grade, I led them in a chant: ‘2008 will be great!,'” Galway said. “Five years later, these young people seated before me have exceeded those expectations. They’ve done a wonderful job.”